Display container

ABSTRACT

A display container is provided including a body having a tray and a tab positioned on at least one edge of the tray, and a hinge disposed between the tray and the tab. The tray has a cavity. The body is formed with the tab in a first position relative to the tray. The tab is movable by way of the hinge to a second position different from the first position. The display container includes a label having a first portion couplable to the tab and a second portion couplable to the tray when the tab is in the second position such that the label holds the tab in the second position

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a display container for displaying a product on a shelf to consumers.

SUMMARY

In one construction, the disclosure provides a display container. The display container includes a body having a tray and a tab positioned on at least one edge of the tray, and a hinge disposed between the tray and the tab. The tray has the cavity. The body is formed with the tab in a first position relative to the tray. The tab is movable by way of the hinge to a second position different from the first position. The display container includes a label including a first portion couplable to the tab and a second portion couplable to the tray when the tab is in the second position such that the label holds the tab in the second position.

In another construction the disclosure provides a display container consisting of a body including a tray and a tab, the tray defining a cavity, a label coupled to the body, and a sealing layer enclosing the cavity.

In another construction, the disclosure provides a display container. The display container includes a body having a tray and a tab positioned on at least one edge of a rim of the tray, and a hinge disposed between the tray and the tab. The tray has the cavity. The body is formed with the tab coplanar with the rim. The tab is movable by way of the hinge to substantially ninety degrees relative to the rim by way of the hinge to a display position. The display container includes a label couplable to the body for fixedly holding the tab in the display position.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a body in a first, pre-display configuration in which the body is convertible into the display container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another body embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the body of FIG. 1 including a seal.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the body illustrated in FIG. 2 including a tray and a tab movably coupled to the tray.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the body illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the body illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the body including a label adhered to a surface of the tab of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the tab of FIG. 5 rotating from a first position to a second position.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the display container convertible from the body in a second configuration.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the display container of FIG. 10 supported by the tab on a display surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any constructions of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

FIGS. 1-11 illustrate a body 10 convertible into a display container 14 in accordance with the present invention. The display container 14 includes a body 10 and a label 12. The body 10 includes a tray 18 and a tab 22. The display container 14 may be displayed on a surface such as a shelf without the aid of other devices (i.e. pegs, tertiary packaging, etc.) or other mechanical means to fix the display container 14 on the shelf.

With reference to FIGS. 2-3 and 5-7, the body 10 is shown in a first configuration, or pre-display configuration. In the illustrated construction, the body 10 includes the tray 18 and the tab 22 movably coupled to the tray 18 such as by rotation, pivoting, bending, and the like. The tray 18 includes a rim 30 and a second curved surface 34. The rim 30 is generally planar and may have the same or varying thickness in generally the same plane; however, in other constructions, the rim 30 of the body 10 may be bent or curved. In the illustrated construction, the body 10 is formed from a piece of plastic such as by thermoforming. However, other types of materials, such as cardboard, card stock, other paper materials, organic pulp, fibers, fabrics, polymers, resins, metals, composites, and the like, or any mixture thereof, may be employed.

FIG. 2 illustrates the tray 18 having a plurality of edges 38. The rim 30 may include a surface that is defined by the plurality of edges 38. In the illustrated construction the tray 18 has four edges 38 defining by the rim 30. In other constructions, the tray 18 may include at least three edges 38.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the tray 18 having a cavity 42. The cavity 42 is defined by the surface 34 of the tray 18 extending from the rim 30. Furthermore, the cavity 42 is positioned within the edges 38 of the tray 18 defined by the rim 30. The second surface 34 defines sides 44 that are couplable to the rim 30 to form the cavity 42. In the illustrated construction, the cavity 42 forms one pocket 48 defined by the sides 44 of the tray 18. In other constructions, the cavity 42 may form at least two pockets 48 in the tray 18 in which the rim 30 separates the cavity 42 into the pockets 48. For example, in FIG. 3, the body 10′ includes the cavity 42 forming three pockets 48.

Specifically, the pocket 48 forms a shallow, generally rectangular shape; however, in other constructions, the pocket 48 may form any three-dimensional shape including cylindrical, spherical, and the like. The pocket 48 is configured to receive a product. For example, the product may include packaged food, such as cheese, meats, crackers or nuts. In other constructions, the product may include non-edible products, such as utensils (e.g., plastic spoons, plastic forks, etc.), paper products (e.g., napkins, envelopes, stationery, etc.), or any other products. As shown in FIG. 4, the tray 18 may include a sealing layer such as a seal 52 positioned on the rim 30 and enclosing the cavity 42 in order to enclose the product in the pocket 48.

With reference to FIG. 2, the illustrated rim 30 is substantially planar and extends around the cavity 42. In addition, in the illustrated construction, the rim 30 includes generally straight edges 38. In other constructions, the rim 30 may include other types of edges 38 including curved, concave, convex, pointed, and the like. The rim 30 may be configured to define an indicia region 54 in which logos, images, brands, text, marks, and other indicia can be displayed.

FIGS. 2 and 5-6 illustrate the tab 22 movably coupled to a first edge 56 of one of the edges 38 of the tray 18. The tab 22 includes a first surface 60, a second surface 64, and a plurality of edges 68. A first edge 82 of one of the edges is adjacent to the first edge 56 of the tray 18 (FIG. 6). In other words, the tab 22 extends from the first edge 56 defining the rim 30 such that the tab 22 is positioned on the first edge 56. The first edge 82 may have a length that is the same or different as the length of the first edge 56 of the tray 18. In the illustrated construction, the length of the first edge 82 of the tab 22 is approximately the same as the length of the first edge 56 of the tray 18. Furthermore, the illustrated tab 22 forms a generally rectangular configuration with two rounded corners. In other constructions, the tab 22 may form any shape including trapezoidal, circular, and the like. In addition, the tab 22 may be coupled to any of the other of the plurality of edges 38 of the tray 18. The tab 22 does not aid in sealing the cavity 42.

With reference to FIG. 7, the tab 22 may be generally planar and on the same plane defined by the rim 30 of the tray 18 in the first configuration. Furthermore, the first surface 60 of the tab 22 may form a rim of the tab that has generally the same thickness as the rim 30 of the tray 18; however, in other constructions the rim of the tab 22 may have a different thickness. In the illustrated configuration, the tab 22 extends from the rim 30.

With reference to FIGS. 2-3 and 5-7, the tab 22 may further include a cavity 72 defined by the curved, second surface 64. The second surface 64 defines sides 74 that are couplable to the first surface 60 such that the sides 74, defining the cavity 72, extend from the planar first surface 60. Furthermore, the cavity 72 formed by the tab 22 is not dimensioned the same as the cavity 42 formed by the tray 18 and can take on other shapes and dimensions.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 5-7 and 10, the body 10 includes an area of movement between the body 10 and tab 22 such as a hinge 90 formed between the first edge 56 of the tray 18 and the corresponding first edge 82 of the tab 22. The hinge 90 defines a longitudinal axis A extending between the first edge 56 of the tray 18 and the first edge 82 of the tab 22. The tab 22 is configured to rotate on the hinge 90 relative to the rim 30 of the tray 18 and remain connected to the body 10. The body 10 is convertible into the display container 14 by rotation along an angle B of the tab 22 relative to the rim 30 of the tray 18. The angle B may rotate between generally about 0 degrees to about 100 degrees. For example, in FIG. 2, the angle B is about 0 degrees, and in FIG. 10, the angle B is 90 degrees. The angle B may be limited by at least one of the sides 44 forming the cavity 42 defined by the tray 18 of the body 10. In other words, the movement of the tab 22 relative to the tray 18 is stopped by one of the sides 74 of the cavity 72 defined by the tab 22 adjacent at least one of the sides 44 of the cavity 42 defined by the tray 18.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5-7, the tab 22 may be positioned in a first position relative to the tray 18 when the body 10 is in the first configuration such as after manufactured. For example, in FIGS. 2 and 7, the tab 22 is substantially coplanar with the rim 30 of the tray 18 in the first position. In FIGS. 5-6, the first position of the tab 22 is about 45 degrees relative to the rim 30 of the tray 18.

The body 10 may be manufactured using thermoforming; however, any other suitable manufacturing process may be used to form the body 10. Specifically, the body 10 including the tray 18 having the cavity 42, and the tab 22 having the cavity 72, may be formed during thermoforming from a piece of material 92. In addition, the tab 22 may be thermoformed into the first position. The body 10 including the tab 22 thermoformed in the first position can assist in manufacturing and shipping. Furthermore, the hinge 90 may be formed between the tray 18 and the tab 22 during thermoforming or any other suitable manufacturing process. The hinge 90 may also be formed using perforations, segmented parts, and the like or added after manufacture.

The body 10 is reconfigurable into a second, or display configuration, 14 (FIGS. 10-11). The body 10 is reconfigurable into the display container 14 by one or more of bending, folding, fastening, wrapping and the like. In the second configuration, one example of which is illustrated in FIG. 10, the body 10 is reconfigured into the display container 14 by bending the tab 22 along the hinge 90, wrapping the label 12 around the body 10, and fastening the label 12 to the tab 22 and the tray 18. In addition, the tab 22 remains coupled to the tray 18 after conversion from the first configuration into the display container.

With reference to FIGS. 8-9, the label 12 includes a first side 94 and a second side 98. The first side 94 includes a surface couplable to the body 10 using fastening means such as adhesive. Specifically, the label may already include bonding adhesive on the entire surface of the first side 94 or glue may be applied to specific areas of the surface of the label 12 to fasten the label 12 to the body 10. In other constructions, adhesive may be applied to at least one of the first surface 60 of the tab 22 and the tray 18. The label 12 is configured to adhere to the tab 22 and to a back side 102 of one of the sides 44 forming the cavity 42 of the tray 18. The label 12 may enclose, or wrap around, at least one edge of the body 10 positioned between two adjacent sides 44 of the tray 18.

The label 12 further includes edges defining the first and second side 94, 98. The edges are generally straight; however, in other constructions, the edges may be curved, pointed, and the like. Dimensions of the edges of the label 12 may correspond to dimensions of the body 10. For example, the label 12 covers generally a portion of the back side 102 of the cavity 42 of the tray 18. The portion of the label 12 may extend to cover the entire back side 102 of the cavity 42 of the tab 22. In addition, another portion of the label 12 may cover generally the first surface 60 of the tab 22. Furthermore, the label 12 may define an indicia region on the second side 98 in which logos, images, brands, text, marks, and other indicia can be displayed. For example, at least one or both portions of the label covering the first surface 60 of the tab 22 and the back side 102 of the cavity 42 of the tray 18 may display nutritional or background information of the product. The label 12 is not configured to add rigidity to the body 10.

With reference to FIGS. 8-10, the first side 94 of the label 12 is preferably fastened to the tab 22 using the adhesive. Specifically, the label 12 may be fastened over the entire first surface 60, including the cavity 72 defined by the tab 22, except for the first edge 82 having the hinge 90 such that the product received in the cavity 72 is enclosed by the portion of the label 12. The label 12 may then be used as a handle to rotate the tab 22 relative to the rim 30 of the tray 18. The angle B, defined by the tab 22 relative to the rim 30 of the tray 18, may rotate between about 0 degrees in the first position (FIGS. 2 and 8) to about 90 degrees in the second position (FIG. 10) to convert the body 10 from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first side 94 of the label 12 is further fastened to the back side 102 of the cavity 42 defined by the tray 18 of the body 10 preferably using the adhesive after rotation of the tab 22 relative to the tray 18. In other words, the label 12 is fastened to at least two surfaces of the body 10. The label 12 is used to hold or fix the tab 22 in the second position relative to the tray 18. As such, the label 12 may have at least two functions in which the label 12 holds the body 10 in the display configuration, and displays indicia such as nutritional information.

In a first way, the body 10 is reconfigurable into the display container 14 in steps as shown in FIGS. 8-11. This description of conversion of the body 10 into the display container 14 generally applies to all constructions of the body 10 disclosed herein, though it should be understood that some of the conversion steps may be varied in order to accommodate variations in the body design, as can be easily understood knowing the structure of the bodies 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the label 12 is fastened to the tab 22. Furthermore, the label 12 extends along the plane defined by the first surface 60 of the tab 22. A portion of the label 12 may extend past one of the edges 68 of the tab 22 opposite the first edge 82 of the tab 22 defining the hinge 90.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tab 22 is moved at the hinge 90. The portion of the label 12 extending past one of the edges 68 of the tab 22 is utilized to assist in rotation of the tab 22 relative to the tray 18. The tab 22 is moved such that the tab 22 is generally perpendicular to the second surface 34 of the tray 18 (FIG. 10). In other words, the first surface 60 of the tab 22 is generally perpendicular to the rim 30 of the tray 18. Furthermore, one of the sides 74 of the cavity 72 of the tab 22 may be adjacent, or next to, one of the sides 44 of the cavity 42 of the tray 18 in the second configuration.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first surface 94 of the label 12 is fastened to the back side 102 of the cavity 42 of the tray 18. The label 12 is configured to adhere to the tab 22 and to one of the sides 44 of the cavity 42 of the tray 18 such that the label 12 wraps around one edge of the body 10. In a second way, the tab 22 is moved along the hinge 90 without the aid of the label 12 and fasten a portion of the label 12 to the tab 22 and a portion of the label 12 to the back side 102 of the cavity 42 of the tray 18 in the same step such that the tab 22 is held or fixed in the second position relative to the tray 18. Furthermore, the seal 52 (FIG. 4) may be positioned on the tray 18 before or after the label 12 is fastened to the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 52 is positioned on the tray 18 before the label 12 is fastened to the body 10 such that product is received in the pocket 48 and sealed before conversion into the display container 14.

With reference to FIG. 11, specifically, the label 12 holds the tab 22 at the angle B relative to the tray 18 of the body 10 in the second, display configuration. The tab 22 allows the display container 14 to stand upright on a surface 106 without the aid of other devices (i.e. pegs, tertiary packaging, etc.) or other mechanical means to hold the display container 14 on the shelf. The tab 22 is configured to allow the body 10 to be positioned on a display surface 106 of the shelf in an upright manner. The label 12 holds the tab 22 in place during use of the display container 14.

Thus, the disclosure provides, among other things, a display container 14 and a method for forming the display container 14 from the body 10. The display container 14 reduces the need for other devices (i.e. pegs, tertiary packaging, etc.) or other mechanical means to fix or hold the body 10 on the shelf. The label 12 provides ease of conversion from the body 10 into the display container 14. Furthermore, the label provides an area to display nutrition information of the product. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

1. A display container comprising: a body including a tray having a cavity, a tab positioned on at least one edge of the tray, and a hinge connecting the tray with the tab, wherein the body is formed with the tab in a first position relative to the tray, wherein the tab is movable by way of the hinge to a second position different from the first position; a sealing layer enclosing the cavity; and a label including a first portion couplable to the tab and a second portion couplable to the tray when the tab is in the second position such that the label holds the tab in the second position and such that the tab in the second position is configured to enable the display container to stand upright.
 2. The display container of claim 1, wherein the tab is configured to be placed on a surface to enable the display container to stand upright.
 3. The display container of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a rim, and wherein the tab is substantially ninety degrees relative to the rim when in the second position.
 4. The display container of claim 3, wherein the tray includes a second surface extending from the rim, wherein the second surface includes at least one side defining the cavity, and wherein the tab is adjacent the at least one side defining the cavity when in at least the second position.
 5. The display container of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a rim, and wherein the tab is substantially coplanar with the rim when in the first position.
 6. The display container of claim 1, further comprising a rim defined by the body, wherein the rim is substantially planar, and wherein the rim extends around the cavity.
 7. The display container of claim 6, wherein the tab extends from the rim, and wherein the tab is substantially coplanar with the rim in the first position.
 8. The display container of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a back side defining the cavity, and wherein the second portion of the label is couplable to the back side of the tray.
 9. The display container of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one edge, wherein the tray includes a back side defining the cavity, and wherein the label wraps around the at least one edge from the tab to the back side of the tray.
 10. The display container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the label includes nutritional information.
 11. The display container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the label includes at least one of a logo and background information of the product.
 12. The display container of claim 1, wherein the sealing layer is securable to the tray and is not in contact with the label.
 13. The display container of claim 1, wherein the label is flexible.
 14. The display container of claim 1, the tray includes a back side defining the cavity, wherein the cavity forms at least two pockets, and wherein the label is attached to the back side of at least one of the pockets.
 15. A display container that can stand in an upright position on a surface consisting of: a body including a tray and a moveable tab, the tray defining a cavity, the tab supporting the display container in the upright position; a label coupled to the tray and the tab and configured to hold the moveable tab in one orientation relative to the tray to enable the display container to stand in an upright position on a surface, the label including at least one of nutritional information, a logo, and indicia; and a sealing layer enclosing the cavity.
 16. (canceled)
 17. A display container with an upright standing position comprising: a tray having a cavity; a tab connected to the tray via a hinge disposed between the tray and the tab; wherein the tray is formed with the tab coplanar with the rim, wherein the tab is movable to substantially ninety degrees relative to the rim by way of the hinge to a display position; a seal enclosing the cavity; and a label couplable to the tray and the tab for fixedly holding the moveable tab in the display position enabling the display container to be displayed in an upright standing position on the tab.
 18. The display container of claim 17, wherein the label includes a first portion couplable to the tab and a second portion couplable to the tray.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The display container of claim 17, wherein the label includes nutritional information. 